Anyone using t-shirts for riding? I don't mean cotton t's, I'm talking about some sort of sweat wicking material. And if so, what are you using that won't stick to your skin?

I generally use cotton tees for commuting. A lot of people recomend merino wool tees, and, I'll probably give that a shot this summer. I think there are probably some synthetics out there that will do the job depending on your needs.

How would a perfect cotton t-shirt for casual riding look? I guess the back should be a bit longer. Anything else?

I get wicking lime safety ones from our vendors. Short and long sleeve. They have their logos but I'm good with that.

I often wear cotton tees when biking. I have two "bike shirts" and they are nice but I like the feel of cotton over the feel of the synthetic material even if it does get very wet at times.

You might want to try a shirt made out of bamboo fabric. I think they are way better for cycling than cotton

You might want to checkout Carhart shirts, long and short sleeved. Great material in the bright lemon/lime safety color. I wear the long sleeve as an under layer in colder months.

I always use hi-tech running shirts. They all come from the local charity store for $3-4, usually with gym logos or local charity runs, usually brand new and brand name. New Balance, Adidas etc. I've got a great collection of shirts from several years in both short sleeve and long sleeve from a local marathon.

I wear any number of brightly colored "performance" fabric shirts. I typically buy them when they are on closeout. I don't own a bicycling jersey.

Patagonia Men's Capilene® Daily T-Shirt

Champion T-shirt made of tech fabric: Target : Expect More. Pay Less.

Best bang for your buck.

Lots and lots of wicking poly shirts out there and they all, mostly, work better than cotton at moisture control and temperature regulation.

That's a really interesting suggestion. I wear a thin cotton shirt under my jersey because the synthetics give me a nasty rash, but swimming in wet cotton isn't exactly a good time either.

I wear spring and summer4 orange and 4 lime T-shirts from Alert Shirt bought over 10 years ago. Highly recommended!
Pocket T-Shirt 'Moisture-Wick' ANSI Compliant

£220.00!

Try experimenting with different brands of baselayers, made of different types of wicking materials, you'll eventually find one you like, that doesn't give you a rash. Then get rid of the cotton tee shirts under the jersey. You won't regret it.

I had an experience with a cotton tee, half through the ride the temperature dropped and the sweat with the cool wind got very uncomfortable for miles.
Cycling jerseys work but I don't always wear one and for whatever reason, not a fan of them so I'm always looking for a comfy tee for the very hot weather. So far some of the sport/running type material shirts have worked well for me.

Hmm and only $7.99...

I don't have a single cycling jersey, I wear all sorts of active wear shirts, T-shirts, running, golf, soccer, whatever I find at the thrift store that I like. Typically $2 to $6 dollars, usually better name brands, often new.
I prefer the feel of cotton over synthetics and will wear cotton T-shirts in cool, dry weather.

Nashbar - T-Shirts - Category

I have a couple of the nashbar dirt tshirts. $5 and they have a zip pocket in the back.
The 3 versions are low on sizes right now, so new stock will be in soon.

Cool, I was going to suggest these and now I don't have to look up the link.

Some have pockets in the back like regular cycling jerseys. Some have them on the side. The pockets are about big enough for an energy bar and a wallet (and a garage-door opener.).

Same fabric as a cycling jersey, more normal cut, and excellent wicking.

Yep, and colorfast too even after hundreds of times being machine washed.

Keep cool in hot weather; these pictures from Iraq in 2010 are the same shirts I bought years before and still am wearing today.

Cotton work very well in hot dry climates; wicking/tech fabrics wok well in warm humid climates or when temperatures vary a lot.

I generally carry at least one cotton, one synthetic T-shirts on long tours.

Cotton


Synthetic

I'm comfortable in Champion long sleeve tech fabric shirts in temps in the 80s. Haven't worn them in hotter weather yet but plan to this summer. I'll probably stick with hi-vis yellow (which I already have), white or other light colors. When it's hot and dry I'll squirt water on the shirts from my bottle.

I have a couple of Garneau Genesis jerseys that are very casual looking, although the collar zipper and rear pockets give them away as bike jerseys. But they're bright solid colors, casual fit and don't look too bikey. Comfortable in the low 100s last summer.

I've been planning to order a few Nashbar brand tees in poly with just a discrete rear pocket. And those Alert Shirts look like good values. I've bought a couple of $5 safety orange/yellow poly shirts from the hardware store. They were okay too.

Bamboo fabric sounds good. My Brentwood Home memory foam mattress has a bamboo fabric cover and it's very comfortable. Feels similar to silk.